The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) wants to remind New Jersey small grains producers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2021 crop year is September 30, 2020. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing policies also have until September 30 to do so. Crop insurance provides protection against crop production losses due to natural perils such as drought, hail, and excessive moisture. Coverage for small grains is available in select counties.
Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2021 crop year. Crop insurance coverage decisions must be made on or before the sales closing date.
USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is authorizing additional flexabilities due to coronavirus while continuing to support producers, working through Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) to deliver services, including processing policies, claims, and agreements. RMA staff are working with AIPs and other customers by phone, mail, and electronically to continue supporting crop insurance coverage for producers. Farmers with crop insurance questions or needs should continue to contact their insurance agents about conducting business remotely (by telephone or email). More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.
According to the National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS), in 2019 alone:
- Crop insurance covered 151,767 acres of NJ farmland, providing $85.4 million in protection
- New Jersey farmers paid $1.7 million for this insurance coverage
- Crop insurers paid $4.2 million to cover crop losses in New Jersey
- The private crop-hail insurance product provided an additional $250,200 in liability protection on growing crops in New Jersey
Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available online using the RMA Agent Locator. The Crop Insurance Provider List for 2021 (New Jersey) can be found here.
Producers can use the RMA Cost Estimator to get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs online. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at www.rma.usda.gov.
The New Jersey Risk Management and Crop Insurance Education Program exists in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency (USDA RMA). The goal of this program is to inform New Jersey producers of risk management and crop insurance programs to better manage risk and increase financial stability for their operation.
